Issue - meetings

This application was for works to facilitate the conversion of the former compressor house and reconstruction of the former pattern shop to provide 3no. dwellings – in association with the redevelopment of the former AGA site (Listed Building Consent Application) on the site of AGA Rayburn, Coalbrookdale Works, Wellington Road, Coalbrookdale, Telford, Shropshire.

A site visit had taken place on the afternoon prior to the Committee Meeting.

This application was before Planning Committee as the application had been validated as A Non-Determination Appeal by the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) and it was necessary for the Planning Committee to confirm to PINS their likely determination had the application been presented to them with a recommendation.

Planning Officers considered that the level and nature of representations on this application would have warranted a Committee decision.

Planning Applications TWC/2021/0356 and TWC/2021/0358 would be heard together but the vote on the recommendations for each application would be taken individually.

Ms M Blockley, a member of the public, spoke against the application as a resident and as the Chair of the WHS Steering Group.  She raised concerns the setting of the Listed Building, scale and size of the apartment block, the design reference to the textile mills.  Further concerns were raised regarding the concrete raft adjacent to the listed building and the overwhelming geological risk management due to land stability and warping and that piles should be used as an alternative.

Mr A Sheldon, Applicant, spoke in favour of the likely determination and informed Members that in relation to the design, scale and nature of the apartment block this scale of the buildings were not any greater that what was already in place.  Discussions had taken place with Historic England in relation to the best development in order to recognise the past history of the site.  

The Planning Officer gave Members a brief overview of the application and suggestions made by ICOMOS and ICOMOS-UK who were not formally objecting to the application and advised that these had been taken into consideration.  The site had been redesigned taking account of the retained heritage assets and the industrial character of the site. This was a bespoke and unique design and involved substantial costs to make it viable.  A Historic Interpretation Area would seek to provide a narrative of the stories of its industrial past via public art provisions.  Archaeology would be recorded and left in situ with the Applicant having to provide an Archaeological Management Plan which had been accepted by Shropshire Archaeology and raft foundations utilised where necessary.  Paragraph 208 of the NPPF balanced harm against public benefit and it was considered that this site provided significant public benefit.   Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) wrote to the Local Planning Authority to advise of the risk that the World Heritage Site could be severely compromised if ICOMOS concerns were not fully addressed but the Officers advised Members that the ICOMOS concerns had little recognition of the site constraints and viability.  The proposal was the best and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55